Tag Archives: mud

Yokohama Tire Corp. has been producing off-road tires since 1982, when the Super Digger was launched. Thirty-five years later, the company still offers the Y829 Super Digger III bias off-road racing tire in size 33×10.50-15!

The Geolandar M/T directional tire was introduced in 1998. Yokohama tweaked the design and compounding in 2004; the resulting M/T+ G001 became a new SKU number, but was hardly a new tire.

More than two decades have passed since the creation of the original Geolandar M/T, which makes the new Geolandar M/T G003 highly anticipated by Yokohama dealers in the U.S.

The M/T G003 features a non-directional tread pattern and is equal to or superior in every way to the tire it replaces, the G001, says Bob Abram, senior manager of product planning.

“The directional tread design of the old G001 wasn’t playing with customers or dealers. Getting the looks right of this tire was important because we knew what happens when you don’t get the looks right, even if the performance is pretty good.”

Features and benefits

Yokohama says the Geolandar M/T G003 is superior to the G001 not only in mud traction but also in dry braking and snow braking. It also weighs less, which results in greater fuel efficiency.

The tire’s dry, mud and wet traction were engineered using a triple-polymer tread compound combined with optimized sipes and “an ideal” block-to-void ratio. The tread also features an advanced variable pitch pattern that Abram says will be a big selling point for Yokohama dealers.

“One of the things that came out of our research with consumers and dealers alike is they want a quiet tire — for a mud tire. They don’t expect it to be touring tire quiet, but they would like to use it as an extra selling feature.

“We’ve got a new multi-pitch variation that helps keep the noise down. That helps even out those peak harmonics, which are what make a lot of the noise when the tire is rolling at highway speeds.”

Yokohama’s new Geo-Shield construction incorporates multiple sidewall plies, steel belts, a full nylon cap and a high turn-up carcass into the design. All Load Range E and D sizes feature three-ply technology.

“The three-ply is important as a marketing tool,” he says. “It gives consumers confidence that we have extra strength in the sidewall to protect against punctures and to hold up to heavy use. Also, that full nylon cap helps you avoid tread punctures, so there is an extra layer of protection there.”

Abram says sidewall durability is not a major concern for the urban cowboy, but “is a huge issue for people who are really beating up and using their vehicles off-road.”

The G003’s Sidewall Armor not only protects the sidewall against impacts, but also adds traction elements to the design. And it gives the tire a unique, aggressive look.

“We were trying to avoid coming out with an M/T tire that was so ‘me, too,’ that looked just like the Toyo Open Country M/T or the Hankook Dynapro MT RT03 or BFGoodrich T/A KM2, for example. We didn’t want that to happen, but we also wanted to say to the extreme off-roader, ‘We have something extra for you.’”

By the end of the year, the Geolandar M/T G003 will be available in 37 Q-rated sizes, with rim diameters ranging from 15 to 20 inches. They will be introduced in three waves, broken out by the following load ranges:

According to Abram, the mud-terrain segment in the U.S. accounted for more than 3.6 million tires in 2016, compared to more than 2.8 million in 2012.

The top five selling light trucks in 2016 were the Ford F Series, Chevy Silverado, Dodge Ram, GMC Sierra and the Jeep Wrangler. Those vehicles “are right in our wheelhouse of what we want as potential fitments for this Geolandar mud tire,” he says. So are some specialized vehicles designed for more rugged duty like the F-150 Raptor, Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, and the Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro.

The new Firestone Destination M/T2 tire from Bridgestone Americas Inc. is designed to provide maximum traction for 4×4 vehicles, pickup trucks and SUVs in off-road conditions.

The new tire replaces the Firestone Destination M/T, which came out in 2002. Bridgestone says the new M/T2 tire “does everything better” than its predecessor. Advances in tire technology, especially compounding, are responsible for improvements in off-road, snow and wet performance.

A new tread compound, three-ply sidewall construction and more aggressive upper sidewall design give the Destination M/T2 increased traction in mud and offer stronger resistance to chips and tears. Stone and mud rejectors help keep the tread clear of debris.

The Firestone Destination M/T2 tire has 20% more biting edges than the previous generation tire for better grip on slick, wet surfaces and in snow conditions. The company also added sipes for better snow traction capability compared to the prior tire. The Firestone Destination M/T2 tire is studdable.

Product manager Justin Hayes told Modern Tire Dealer that there are two types of buyers of the new Firestone Destination M/T2 tire. “There’s one who really cares about the performance, he’s going to take his truck or Jeep off road and he wants the traction capability,” he says.

“For that type of customer we’ve significantly improved the off-road performance capabilities versus the current generation Destination M/T on dry rocks, wet rocks, creeks, mud and sand. In all of these types of off-road conditions, the traction capabilities of the Destination M/T2 have been improved versus the predecessor product.”

Hayes says the other type of driver who would purchase an M/T tire primarily cares about the looks of the product. “For this type of driver the Destination M/T2 has a much more aggressive look and feel than the previous generation product. The tread area has been totally redesigned, the off shoulder area has more rubber and a more aggressive protruding image for the driver who wants the tire to look aggressive.”

The Firestone Destination M/T2 tire is available in 29 sizes for 15- to 22-inch wheels. The tires will be delivered to stores in July 2017.

“The Firestone Destination M/T2 tire is the ultimate tire for adventure-seekers looking to get the most performance out of their truck or Jeep,” says Erik Seidel, president, consumer replacement tire sales, U.S. and Canada, Bridgestone Americas Tire Operations.

“Overlanders and weekend warriors expect their tires to perform across a wide range of intense conditions, and the Destination M/T2 delivers an incredible off-road driving experience. We built a tough tire that attacks the terrain.”

The word of the day in Farmington, Pa., is “robust,” as in robust tire construction.

Continental Tire the Americas LLC is introducing two tires at a ride-and-drive event in Farmington on July 12, 2016. Earlier today, the on/off-road Continental TerrainContact A/T was showcased. A demonstration of the new General Grabber X3 followed.

The X3 stands for extreme dirt, mud and rock. Some of the tire’s design features are:

* ultra-high strength steel belts;

* high void areas and alternating scoops (to help evacuate mud);

* multi angle gripping edges.

The tire will be available in 29 sizes beginning in September, broken out as follows:

* 16 LT sizes with rim diameters ranging from 16 to 20 inches.

* 13 flotation sizes with rim diameters ranging from 15 to 20 inches.

Thirteen of the sizes will be available with either black lettering or red letters.

Now until October 15,2016 Get your $70 Mail in rebate with the purchase of 4 Select General Tires. Give us a call at 888-513-8473 for details, or visit us on the web at http://www.yournexttire.com

Titan International Inc. is adding a radial ATV tire to its Mud Monster ATV tire lineup. Available in size 30x10R14, it’s the first radial ATV tire by Titan. It’s also the largest tire in the Mud Monster family.

“There’s a growing customer demand for high-quality, American-made tires that can cater to a wide range of ATV and UTV applications,” says Steve Strauss, general manager at Titan. “Our newest Mud Monster tire is the first radial ATV tire we offer, making it especially suited for very muddy and rocky terrain and allowing our customers greater freedom and stability for their off-roading adventures.”

The Mud Monster tread is designed to offer maximum bite thanks to its deep, interlocking lugs. Titan says the tire’s rounded profile maintains steering characteristics usually associated with a less aggressive tread design.

Like this:

Team Nitto drivers Shannon Campbell, Jason Scherer and Erik Miller fight through the rain and mud to sweep the podium at the 2016 Nitto Nationals Ultra4 MetalCloak NorCal Stampede.

Nitto Tire U.S.A. Inc. has swept the podium at the MetalCloak Stampede Ultra4 off-road race for the second year in a row thanks to the talents of the Team Nitto drivers and the incredible traction afforded by their Trail Grappler M/T tires. This occasion also marks the second consecutive Ultra4 Nationals race in which Team Nitto has swept the podium; the last being the Reno Nationals at the end of the 2015 season. This incredible victory was achieved despite extremely uncooperative weather causing traction issues and mechanical failures for many other teams.

Campbell is one of off-road racing’s most winning drivers, a two-time King of the Hammers winner (2008 and 2011), and was recently inducted into the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame.

Jason Scherer is a former King of the Hammers champion (2009) and has since scored numerous Ultra4 wins, consistently finishing near the top of the field.

Erik Miller is also a two-time King of the Hammers champion, having won the signature event of the Ultra4 series in 2012 and 2016, and was also second in points during the 2014 Ultra4 National Championships.

“The NorCal Stampede is always an incredibly challenging event for any driver and with the inclement weather this year, it required some incredible talent from our drivers and an equally incredible tire to bring home the win,” said Chris Corbett, Nitto Tire U.S.A.’s Events and Motorsports Manager. “The mud on the course really illustrated the capabilities of our Trail Grappler tire and the 1-2-3 finish for Team Nitto showed why the Trail Grappler continues to be the choice of champions.”

The next race of the 2016 Ultra4 season will take place on May 6, 2016 at Hot Springs ORV Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. has expanded its Wrangler tire family with the introduction of the Wrangler TrailRunner AT for light trucks and SUVs.
Unveiled during the 2016 Goodyear Dealer Conference, the Wrangler TrailRunner AT offers what the tire maker calls a hard-working combination of on- and off-road performance.

“The Wrangler TrailRunner AT comes with a 55,000-mile limited tread life warranty.
The tire contains several features that contribute to its performance, including:
•large interlocking tread blocks to help deliver strong on- and off-road durability;
•saw-tooth block edges and multi-angle sipes for enhanced all-season traction, both on- and off-road;
•an optimized tread pattern for enhanced tread life and noise reduction for quiet on-road driving; and
•a rugged stepped shoulder for added traction in deep mud and snow.

The Wrangler TrailRunner AT will be available in 41 sizes, ranging from 225/75R16 to 275/60R20.

Cooper Tire’s booth at the SEMA Show/Global Tire Expo (#43019) features the company’s top tires, including the new Discoverer STT Pro and Discoverer SRX, the CS5 Touring tire, and the new CS1 passenger tire exclusive to Mexico and Latin America.

The Discoverer STT Pro provides superior reliability and durability with Armor-Tek3 construction that adds strength to the sidewall and tread area, and mud release dimples and scoops that prevent build-up and improve traction in super sloppy conditions, according to Cooper.

With a recently expanded size range, the Discoverer SRX was designed to meet the unique needs of SUVs and CUVs. The tire provides dependable all-season highway traction, superior handling and a quiet, comfortable ride, said Cooper. Delivering road surface grip for traction in wet weather conditions and light snow, the SRX also carries a 65,000-mi. treadwear protection warranty and a 45-day road test guarantee.

The CS5 Touring delivers all-season performance targeted for drivers of modern sedans and SUVs. Enhanced tread compound, combined with an asymmetric tread design, patented Stabiledge technology and specially developed 3D Micro-Gauge sipes allow the CS5 to deliver a crisp steering response, controlled handling around corners and superior wet handling, shortening stopping distance and lowering rolling resistance for improved fuel mileage, according to the tiremaker. The CS5 gives consumers a convenient way to gauge the amount of wear on the tread of their tires with Cooper’s Wear Square visual tread wear indicator, which transitions between five stages, beginning with a full square on new tires and ending with an exclamation point when the tread reaches 2/32s of an inch, indicating it’s time to replace the tire. CS5 Touring T-speed rated sizes offer an 80,000-mi. premium limited warranty; H- and V-rated sizes have a 60,000-mi. warranty; and W-rated touring sizes come with a 50,000-mi. warranty, in addition to a 45-day road test guarantee.

The CS1 is a new all-season passenger tire that will be sold exclusively in Mexico and Latin America beginning in the first quarter of 2016. The tire features a solid shoulder to provide cornering stability, four extra-wide circumferential grooves to resist hydroplaning, optimal siping, and a solid center rib for consistent on-center feel and steering response.

The company says the Baja MTZP3 has a unique silica-reinforced tread compound for longer wear, enhanced wet weather capability, and superior cut and chip resistance.

The Baja MTZP3 tread features siped tread lugs for better traction and stone ejection, and angled shoulder scallops with mud-pocket scoops for better performance in mud and loose soil. The sidewall is reinforced with the company’s PowerPly technology along with decoupling grooves and signature SideBiters for improved handling on irregular surfaces.

“Owners will appreciate the rugged style and reliable performance in a variety of conditions, along with responsive handling on the street,” says Ken Warner, vice president of marketing for Mickey Thompson.

Mickey Thompson Performance Tires & Wheels markets racing and high-performance tires and wheels for street, strip, truck, and off-road applications. The company was founded in 1963 by racing legend Mickey Thompson and is headquartered in Stow, Ohio.

With Hunting season, and changing weather just around the corner, it is time to give your tires a check. One of the most common sizes on pickups today is the 265/70R17. Since there is such high demand for this size, it is often hard to find a bargain in the 265/70R17. There are thousands of sizes of tires out there, and many of them are perfect substitutes for some of the most popular sizes. Your Next Tire has many tires that would be the perfect substitute for the 265/70R17 without throwing off the speedometer!

BF Goodrich Mud Terrain T/A KM

If you are looking for a mud tire in the 265/70R17, we have the perfect tire for you! The BF Goodrich Mud Terrain T/A KM in a size LT255/75R17. This 6 ply tire is the original tire on the Jeep Rubicon and has won mud equipment awards. It features 19/32 of tread depth, tread cleaning shoulder void bars and 3 ply sidewalls. The 255/75R17 is slightly taller than the 265/70R17, by .4 inches, and slightly more narrow, by .4 inches, which is not even enough to change the speedometer! This slight difference in size makes increases the vehicle’s traction in mud and in snow. We have this tire on sale for only $169 shipped to your door or $139 picked up at our warehouse! Give us a call to place your order today at 888-513-8473!

Nokian All Season

If the BF Goodrich Mud Terrain is a little more aggressive tread than you need, no worries, Your Next Tire has a highway option that would work perfect in place of the 265/70R17! This tire is a Nokian All Season HT in the size P275/65R17. This tire features a better highway tread depth of 11/32, which helps the tire increase its mileage rating. This is a quite highway tread and extra load rating so it can handle more weight than a standard load tire. This is a great all season tire at a killer price of only $115 shipped to your door or only $100 picked up. The difference between the 275/65R17 is .5 inches shorter and .4 inches wider than the 265/70R17 which helps the tire wear longer.